Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel

shish_mish@lemmy.world to World News@lemmy.world – 563 points –
Florida man arrested after trying to cross Atlantic in hamster wheel vessel
bbc.co.uk
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I saw the headline and wondered if this was a repost. Nope. If I had a nickel for every time this guy has been arrested for ocean hamster wheel shenanigans, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't much, but it's weird that it happened twice.

Also, this is the third time he's tried.

I don't think he actually expects to get very far in any of his tries. The attention from his eventual arrest and following news articles are his actual goals. Kinda like that flat earth rocket guy. And they'll both probably end the same way, dead by hubris.

This guy has a long history of doing things to completion. Ran the perimeter of USA, ran from LA to NYC after 9/11. Big cycling stuff. He is an actual world class athlete. I think he really wants to do this but lacks the finances and connections to have the support needed for such an expedition.

Thanks for that info, it's certainly new to me. The only times I've heard of him were for his last attempts at this same stunt.

Our dude was running out of lettuce, and pleased to be caught.

I think you're in luck, the article says he's tried 3 similar voyages before, so if it's his fourth your nickel fortune is going to double!

Why was he arreated? is it agains the law to walk over water in florida?

Probably for operating an unregistered watercraft or not having a transponder. The kind of things maritime law requires for stuff like not getting shot be some idiot, not being IDed as a naval mine by the Navy, search & rescue, not hitting other ships, customs and border enforcement, etc, compelling border compliance, etc. There's a surprising amount of rules for doing stuff in the ocean.

Edit: apparently the vessel isn't technically seaworthy, there was a hurricane evacuation notice in the area, and he also threatened to kill himself and claimed to have a bomb. All of these things are usually guaranteed to piss off the government to varying degrees.

It does male sense! I'm not very familiar with maritime laws but it seems fair. thanks!! :)

I recommend maritime lawyer Chareth Cutestory. He's well versed in maritime law

Biden has truly turned this country into a communist dictatorship, even people trying to escape by homemade boats get scooped up by the coast guard and brought back. We’re living in 1984 and animal farm put together.

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